System and method for training a boxer

ABSTRACT

A system and method for training a boxer is provided that includes a mat having a top surface with at least one series of adjacent positional sections identified sequentially on the top surface, at least one of a left foot and right foot placement marker situated in each positional section, and an orchestrated sequence of foot placements in the respective positional sections for providing boxing training instruction. In addition, the sequence can further include additional body portion movements and/or positions to be executed in relation to the left or right foot placements in the positional sections.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to training methods and systems. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a boxing training mat system and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sport of boxing typically requires significant training in the positioning of a boxer's feet and hands, along with associated punching and body positioning choreography. Such training often requires either a training instructor be present and actively coaching a training individual or for the training individual to already know proper body positioning and movements. Using a training instructor can amount to a significant cost to the training individual along with an associated lack of convenience. In addition, a training instructor may not be consistent and accurate with his/her training choreography resulting in deficient or inconsistent instruction. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an accurate and simple mat system and method for training an individual that is cost effective and convenient.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a system for training a boxer is provided that includes a mat having a top surface with at least one series of adjacent positional sections identified sequentially on the top surface, at least one of a left foot and right foot placement marker situated in each positional section, and an orchestrated sequence of foot placements in the respective positional sections for providing boxing training instruction. In addition, the sequence can further include additional body portion movements and/or positions to be executed in relation to the left or right foot placements in the positional sections.

In other embodiments, a method of training a boxer is provided that includes positioning a first foot on a first marker situated in a first of a plurality of sequentially identified adjacent positional sections provided on a boxing training mat, and repositioning the first foot on a second marker situated in a second positional section. The method can further include positioning a second foot on a third marker situated in the first positional section subsequent to the positioning of the first foot; and repositioning the second foot on a fourth marker situated in the second positional section subsequent the repositioning of the first foot.

In yet other embodiments, a boxing training mat is provided that includes a mat with at least one series of adjacent positional sections identified sequentially and located on a mat top surface, and a plurality of left foot and right foot placement markers located on the top surface in a plurality of positional sections, the placement markers located to provide for the positioning and repositioning of a boxing training individual's feet. The boxing training mat can further include a first training portion having at least four adjacent positional sections identified in a first sequential order and a second training portion that includes at least two adjacent positional sections identified in a second sequential order, where the mat is rectangular and the positional sections are square. Additionally, the positional sections identified in the first training portion can be configured in at least one of a counter-clockwise and clockwise orientation to provide for a boxing training individual's movement in a rotational manner, and the positional sections identified in the second training portion can be situated in a side-by-side configuration situated adjacent to the first training portion. Further, at least one of a left foot and a right foot placement marker can be situated in each positional section. In addition, the positional sections can further include a diagonal indicator to illustrate the approximate angular placement of the left foot and right foot.

Other embodiments, aspects, features, objectives and advantages of the present invention will be understood and appreciated upon a full reading of the detailed description and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various other ways. The drawings illustrate a best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary training mat for a right-handed individual;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the training mat of FIG. 1 depicting exemplary dimensions;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting a first exemplary exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a second exemplary exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting a third exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram depicting a fourth exemplary exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram depicting a fifth exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram depicting a sixth exemplary exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram depicting a seventh exemplary exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting an eighth exemplary exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram depicting a ninth exemplary exercise for training with the training mat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an exemplary training mat for a left-handed individual; and

FIG. 14 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary modification of the first exercise described with reference to FIG. 1, for use on the left-handed mat of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary training mat 2 for use by a right-handed individual for training in the art of boxing is depicted. The mat 2 includes a front portion 3, a rear portion 5, a left side portion 7 and a right side portion 9. The mat 2 includes a top surface 11 and a bottom surface (not shown), with the top surface 11 having various sectional and positional markers (i.e., indicia) provided thereon for the placement of an individual's left foot and right foot, among other things. The markers are used in conjunction with a series of training exercises that serve to instruct the individual as to the proper sequential foot placement for a particular boxing training exercise, and in some aspects, coincident body and arm movements are provided as well. In this manner, a training individual can learn proper foot placement and movements, such as side to side, back and forth, diagonal and pivoting movements. Training instruction can take one or more of various forms such as a DVD, a written instruction manual, and/or an instructing individual.

In at least one embodiment, the mat 2 includes a series of adjacent positional sections 4 situated within an outer border 6 of the mat. Each positional section 4 includes a left foot marker 8 and a right foot marker 10, the foot markers can be represented by an “L,” an “R,” a foot shaped mark, or another type of representation. In addition, the positional sections 4 include positional section identifiers 12, which can include numbers, letters, symbols or any combination thereof, for example, “A, B, C, D, 1, 2”. The markers 8, 10 can be separated by a substantially diagonal indicator 14 to establish the approximate angular placement of a boxer's feet in a “fighting stance,” with the left foot on one side of the indicator 14 and the right foot on the other side. Although the indicator 14 can serve to provide an aid in the training process, other types of placement indicia such as multiple lines can be provided, or such indicia can be excluded altogether.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mat 2 is depicted as rectangular with square positional sections 4 therein, although these components can vary to convenience to include one or more of numerous shapes, for example, circular, triangular, and octagonal. In at least some embodiments, the mat can take the shape of an octagon for training an individual for boxing movements in a mixed martial arts arena, and the shape of a boxing ring to train an individual for action in the boxing ring. In at least one embodiment, the mat 2 has a first training portion 15 that includes four positional sections 16, 22, 28, 34, each with sequential section identifiers 12, with the sections situated adjacent to one another in a counter-clockwise first sequential order to form a square pattern. In at least some embodiments, the first sequential order provides for sequential movement in a rotational manner, a forward movement, backward movement, and diagonal movement. Further, in at least some embodiments, the mat 2 further includes a second training portion 17 having two positional sections 40, 46 situated side by side to form a rectangle situated adjacent to and atop the first training portion. The two additional positional sections 40, 46 include a second sequential order of section identifiers 12 with these identifiers provided in sequential order from a right portion 9 of the mat 2 towards a left portion 7 of the mat 2. The multitude of boxing training exercises can include the use of one or both of the training portions 15, 17. Although the first and second training portions have been described in at least one embodiment as having a particular configuration, more or less positional sections 4 can be included in each section on the mat 2 to provide for a greater or reduced breadth of potential exercises to be performed thereon.

Referring to FIG. 3, exemplary dimensions for the mat 2 are provided wherein the mat 2 has a length L1 of about 72 inches, although a length L1 of about 60 inches to about 84 inches can be provided to accommodate the size of the training individual. In addition, the mat 2 has a width W1 of 48 inches, although a width W1 of about 36 inches to about 60 inches can be provided to accommodate the size of the training individual. The positional sections have a length L2 of about 21.5 inches and a width W2 of about 21.5 inches. The dimensions of the positional sections 4 can be modified to accommodate the dimensions of the mat 2. The mat 2 and the associated indicia thereon can be comprised of numerous single or combined materials, for example, a boxing ring canvas or martial arts cage canvas with painted indicia, another type of canvas with painted indicia, rubber, a carpet material using multiple colors, fabric with printed, painted, or integral fabric indicia, foam interlocking portions with painted or printed indicia, a vinyl mat with painted graphics, wooden floor sections with painted graphics or inlaid wood graphics. In addition, the indicia can be comprised of a removable material that allows for the replacement of indicia in various positions to accommodate the size and boxing preferences (e.g., left-handed or right-handed) of the training individual. The thickness T1 of the mat 2 can vary to accommodate the material the mat and indicia are comprised of, although in one embodiment the thickness T1 is about 0.375 inches. The aforementioned dimensions and materials are intended to be exemplary, and as such, can be modified further to convenience and to accommodate the overall shape of the mat, the materials desired, and the available space for installation of the mat.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the identifiers 12 and the left and right foot markers 8, 10, allow for a sequence of foot placements in the respective positional sections 4 for boxing training instruction by sequentially advancing from one positional section 4 to another initiated by either the left or right foot, as described in detail below. In addition, the sequence can further include the movement of at least one of a left hand and right hand to provide a punching motion that can coincide with the foot placement instruction. Further, the sequence can include additional body portion movements and/or positions to be executed in relation to the left and right foot placements in the positional sections 4. As the footwork, handwork, and body motions for a right-handed individual are different from a left-handed individual, the mat can include a right-handed embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, and a left-handed embodiment as depicted in FIG. 13.

Numerous boxing training exercises can be performed using the mat 2. Although the quantity of viable boxing training exercises that can be performed using the mat 2 is innumerable, several exemplary exercises are described below in detail and further illustrated in the figures. To assist in the description of the exercises for training an individual, each of the positional sections 4 and the left and right feet markers 8, 10 have been further identified with unique reference numbers as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, a forward direction reference is intended to describe the training individual facing or moving a body portion primarily towards the front portion 3 and away from the rear portion 5. Also, a backward direction reference is intended to describe the training individual facing or moving a body portion primarily towards the rear portion 5 and away from the front portion 3. To the “left” is intended to mean the individual is facing or moving a body or body portion primarily towards the left portion 7 and away from the right portion 9. To the “right” is intended to mean the individual is facing or moving a body or body portion primarily towards the right portion 9 and away from the left portion 7. Although it may not be explicitly stated in each of the exercises described below, typically the body (e.g., torso, head) will follow in the direction of a foot movement.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a first exercise 19 is illustrated for use with the right-handed embodiment of the mat 2 shown in FIG. 1. The first exercise 19 is referred to as “Four Square” and provides for training an individual to move in all directions without crossing one's feet. The first exercise 19 begins with step 60, positioning the training individual on the positional section 16 with the left foot on the marker 18 and the right foot on the marker 20, the individual facing forward in a “fighting stance” (a defensive boxing position with hands up, elbows in, and chin down). At step 62, the individual moves forward to section 22 with their left foot going to the marker 24, followed by moving the right foot to the marker 26 at step 64. Moving to the left to section 28 at step 66, the left foot is placed on the marker 32, followed by the right foot onto the marker 30 at step 68. At step 70, moving backward to section 34, the right foot is moved to the marker 36, followed by the left foot to the marker 38 at step 72. Moving to the right at step 74, back to section 16, the right foot is placed on the marker 20, followed by the left foot to the marker 18 at step 76. Step 78 can be included to instruct the individual to repeat each of the steps to provide duration of exercise as is necessary or desired.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a second exercise 21 is illustrated for use with the right-handed embodiment of the mat 2 shown in FIG. 1. The second exercise 21 is referred to as “Reverse Four Square” and trains an individual to move in all directions without crossing one's feet. The second exercise 21 begins with step 80, positioning the training individual on the positional section 16 with the left foot on the marker 18 and the right foot on the marker 20, the individual facing forward in a “fighting stance” (a defensive-boxing position with hands up, elbows in, and chin down). Moving to the left to section 34 at step 82, the left foot is placed on the marker 38, followed by the right foot onto the marker 36 at step 84. Step 86 includes moving forward to place the left foot onto the marker 32 in section 28, followed by the right foot onto the marker 30 at step 88. Now moving right to section 22 at step 90, the right foot is placed on the marker 26, followed by the left foot onto the marker 24 at step 92. At step 94, the individual moves backward to section 16 by placing the right foot on the marker 20, followed by the left foot on the marker 18 at step 96. Step 98 can be included to instruct the individual to repeat each of the steps to provide duration of exercise as is necessary or desired.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a third exercise 100 is illustrated for use with the right-handed embodiment of the mat 2 shown in FIG. 1. The third exercise 100 is referred to as “Step and Throw the Jab” and provides for stepping into range to throw a jab then step back out of range. The third exercise 100 begins with step 102, positioning the training individual on the positional section 16 with the left foot on the marker 18 and the right foot on the marker 20, the individual facing forward in a fighting stance. At step 104, the individual shifts their body to an in-range position in section 22 in order to contact a fictional opponent with an offensive punch, to accomplish this, the individual moves the left foot to the marker 24 while throwing a jab with the left hand. At step 106, after completion of the jab and contact of the left foot with the marker 24, the left foot is immediately moved back to the marker 18, thereby moving the individual back to section 16 and into an out-of-range position. Retreat to an out-of-range position allows the individual to defend a counter-punch from the opponent. The exercise may be repeated as desired as indicated at step 108.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a fourth exercise 110 is illustrated for use with the right-handed embodiment of the mat 2 shown in FIG. 1. The fourth exercise 120 is referred to as the “Pivot and Step over” and provides for pivoting off the front foot in both directions. The fourth exercise 120 begins with step 122, positioning the training individual on the positional section 40 with the left foot on the marker 42 and the right foot on the marker 44 with the individual facing left in a fighting stance. At step 124, the individual swings their right foot behind their left leg while pivoting on the ball of the left foot until the right foot lands on the marker 30 in section 28, this movement continues at step 126 with the left foot sliding to the marker 32 in section 28. At step 128, the right foot is moved towards the marker 50 in section 46 by stepping on a diagonal indicator 49 and pivoting the body 45 degrees. At step 130, as the right foot contacts the indicator 49, the individual pivots the right foot along with the body to face to the left while moving the left foot to the marker 48. At step 132, the individual moves forward to section 40 by placing the left foot on the marker 42, followed by the right foot on the marker 44 in step 134. The exercise can be repeated as indicated in step 136.

Various other exemplary exercises are provided in FIGS. 8-13 for use with the right-handed embodiment of the mat 2 shown in FIG. 1, although these exercises are provided only in the figures, they adequately describe the movements. FIG. 8 is a fifth exercise 130 entitled “Jab and Circle the Block” and provides for stepping into range to throw the jab then be ready to move. Exercise 130 includes steps 132-150 as illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a sixth exercise entitled “Step Back, Throw the Jab and Circle the Block” and provides for stepping back and throwing the jab, then to continue moving in a circular manner across the positional sections 28, 34, 16, 22. Exercise 160 includes steps 162-180 as illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a seventh exercise 190 entitled “Cut the Corner” provides for training to move more quickly and efficiently in a circular manner across the positional sections 22, 28, 34, 16. Exercise 190 includes steps 192-206 as illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is an eighth exercise 210 entitled “Double Z” and provides for moving laterally and diagonally across the positional sections 16, 28, 22, 34. Exercise 210 includes steps 212-230 as illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a ninth exercise 240 entitled “Zig Zag Pivot” and serves to enhance agility, coordination, and balance using footwork. Exercise 240 includes steps 242-260 as illustrated in FIG. 12.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a left-handed embodiment of the mat 2 is depicted and identified as mat 270. Mat 270 is configured to be similar to mat 2 with regard to size, shape, materials, etc., with the exception that the placement of the indicia (i.e., markers, sections, diagonals, etc.) on the mat surface is modified. In at least some embodiments, the mat 270 is a physically separate mat, although in other embodiments, a mat can include a first surface with right-handed indicia and a second surface with left-handed indicia to form a multi-functional mat.

Further referring to FIG. 13, to accommodate a left-handed individual, the positional sections 46, 22, 16 of mat 2 have been moved to the left side and the positional sections 40, 28, 34 have been moved to the right side. As a result, the positional sections 16, 22, 28, 34, comprising the first training portion 15, are now identified with sequential section identifiers 12 in a clockwise sequential order to form a square pattern and to provide for sequential movement in a clockwise rotational manner. The two additional positional sections 40, 46 comprising the second training portion 17 include a new sequence of section identifiers 12 with these identifiers provided in sequential order from the left portion 7 of the mat 2 towards the right portion 9 of the mat 2. In addition, the left and right foot markers and the diagonal lines 14 have also been moved within the positional sections to accommodate the fighting stance of a left-handed individual. The left-handed embodiment of the mat 2 allows for the same training exercises as described for the right-handed embodiment. Although, as a left-handed boxer leads with the right foot as opposed to the left foot, each of the exercises are modified to accommodate this by swapping the suggested movements for the right foot with movements of the left foot, and so on. In addition, various body position movements would be in a direction opposite the direction for the right-handed individual, such as circular movements and left and right movements.

FIG. 14 is provided to illustrate an exemplary modification of the first exercise 19 for use on the left-handed mat 270, and other exercises can be modified as well in a similar manner. The left-handed version of the Four Square, namely, exercise 280, begins with step 282, positioning the training individual on the positional section 16 with the left foot on the marker 18 and the right foot on the marker 20, the individual facing forward in a fighting stance. Moving forward at step 284, the right foot is moved to the marker 26, followed by the left foot being moved to the marker 24 at step 286. Moving towards the right at step 288, the right foot is placed on the marker 30, followed by moving the left foot to the marker 32 at step 290. Now moving backward at step 292, the left foot is moved to maker 38, followed by the right foot moving to the marker 36 at step 294. Moving left at step 296, the right foot is moved to the marker 18, followed by the right foot moving to the marker 20 at step 298. The series of movements can be repeated as suggested by step 300.

As evident from the above descriptions, the exercises can be fairly simple or more complex. In at least some embodiments, one or more instructional aids (e.g., video demonstration, graphical depiction of movements, audio instruction) are provided to assist an individual with these and/or other exercises. These instructional aids can be provided via written, verbal, and visual media, for example, analog and digital sound files, analog and digital video files, paper charts, manuals and other typed or hand-written literature. In addition, instruction can be provided by or alongside an instructing individual. Although the instructional aids can serve to increase the efficiency of training with the mat, they are not required to enable the mat for boxing training of an individual.

It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of portions of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A system for training a boxer comprising: a mat having a top surface with at least one series of adjacent positional sections identified sequentially on the top surface; at least one of a left foot and right foot placement marker situated in each positional section; and an orchestrated sequence of foot placements in the respective positional sections for providing boxing training instruction.
 2. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein the mat further includes a substantially diagonal indicator situated in one or more of the positional sections.
 3. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein the sequence further includes additional body portion movements and/or positions to be executed in relation to the left or right foot placements in the positional sections.
 4. The system for training a boxer of claim 3, wherein the sequence further includes the movement of at least one of a left hand and a right hand to coincide with the foot placement instruction.
 5. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein the mat includes a first training portion that includes at least four adjacent positional sections identified in a first sequential order and a second training portion that includes at least two adjacent positional sections identified in a second sequential order.
 6. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the positional sections, left foot placement marker and right foot placement marker, are removably secured to the mat to accommodate relocation about the mat.
 7. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein the mat includes a first surface configured for use with a right-handed individual and a second surface configured for use with a left-handed individual.
 8. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein the mat is rectangular and the positional sections are square with a dividing line between the foot placement markers.
 9. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein four positional sections include a first sequence of identifiers and two additional positional sections include a second sequence of identifiers.
 10. The system for training a boxer of claim 1, wherein the mat includes a first training portion having positional sections identified in at least one of a counter-clockwise and clockwise configuration to provide for a movement in a rotational manner.
 11. The system for training a boxer of claim 10, wherein the mat further includes a second training portion having positional sections identified in a side-by-side configuration situated adjacent to the first training portion.
 12. A method of training a boxer comprising: positioning a first foot on a first marker situated in a first of a plurality of sequentially identified adjacent positional sections provided on a boxing training mat; and repositioning the first foot on a second marker situated in a second positional section.
 13. The method of training a boxer of claim 12, the method further comprising: positioning a second foot on a third marker situated in the first positional section subsequent to the positioning of the first foot; and repositioning the second foot on a fourth marker situated in the second positional section subsequent the repositioning of the first foot.
 14. The method of training a boxer of claim 13, the method further comprising: repositioning the first foot on a fifth marker situated in a third positional section; and repositioning the second foot on a sixth marker situated in the third positional section.
 15. The method of training a boxer of claim 14, the method further comprising: repositioning the first foot on a seventh marker situated in a fourth positional section; repositioning the second foot on an eighth marker situated in the fourth positional section.
 16. The method of training a boxer of claim 14, the method further comprising: repositioning the first foot on the first marker situated in the first positional section; repositioning the second foot on the second marker situated in the first positional section.
 17. The method of training a boxer of claim 12, the method further comprising: moving a hand in a punching motion either coincident with or subsequent to the positioning of the first foot on the first marker.
 18. A boxing training mat comprising: a mat with at least one series of adjacent positional sections identified sequentially and located on a mat top surface; and a plurality of left foot and right foot placement markers located on the top surface in a plurality of positional sections, the placement markers located to provide for the positioning and repositioning of a boxing training individual's feet.
 19. The boxing training mat of claim 18, wherein the mat includes a first training portion having at least four adjacent positional sections identified in a first sequential order and a second training portion that includes at least two adjacent positional sections identified in a second sequential order, wherein the mat is rectangular and the positional sections are square, wherein the positional sections identified in the first training portion are configured in at least one of a counter-clockwise and clockwise orientation to provide for a boxing training individual's movement in a rotational manner, wherein the positional sections identified in the second training portion are situated in a side-by-side configuration situated adjacent to the first training portion, and wherein at least one of a left foot and a right foot placement marker is situated in each positional section.
 20. The boxing training mat of claim 19, wherein the positional sections further include a diagonal indicator to illustrate the approximate angular placement of the left foot and right foot. 